Work Drabbles

[cornerofmadness]

These were harder for me for some reason. As always, the characters belong to Mr. Whedon et al and not me. All are PG-13

<lj-cut text="Calling">
Buffy S 2
Buffy snuggled up with Mr. Gordo, thinking about Kendra’s words to her as she got on the plane. Was she wrong in thinking of Slaying like a job? Was it more than just mere work? Kendra and Giles certainly thought so. Deep down, she knew they were right and that’s what she hated about it. She was hard wired for this. She needed to cling to the idea it was just work, a job, something she could retire from someday otherwise she’d start thinking about this was it for her, her entire life until death do her part. She wept.

</lj-cut>

 

<lj-cut text="Made Redundant">
Giles S 4

Giles took a sip of scotch, setting his glass aside. He picked up the guitar. His fingers felt sore, having lost much of their playing callouses. He shouldn’t have let his love of music fall to the wayside.

But he had been too busy, too much work to do. That was all over. The school was gone. He was banished from the people who were family to him, not just employers. He hadn’t realized he could be made so redundant. He hated this. He knew Buffy still needed him. Without work to define him, what was he?
</lj-cut>

<lj-cut text="Capitalism">
Anya S4

Work? How blatantly unfair was this? She had spent how many centuries as a vengeance demon without having to worry about such mundane things. She hated being stuck in this fragile human form. There was nothing Anya liked about. Okay, sex with Xander that was always good but having to get a job? How low had she sunk?

She followed Giles glumly through the shop, half listening until he showed her how to open the cash drawer. The smell of money wafted out to greet her. Anya fondled the bills, drinking in the scent. Maybe working wouldn’t be so bad.
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<lj-cut text="Murder Most Foul">
Kate S 1
Kate looked at the runnels of blood mixing with the detritus of the street. The prostitute lying dead at her feet couldn’t have been more than sixteen and someone had gutted her like a fish. No, not someone, something. She had seen enough weirdness to know nothing human had done this.

Why had she chosen this type of work? Because for Kate, there was nothing else. This was in her blood. Being a cop wasn’t just a job, it was a calling. Knowing this was out of her scope, she punched a number in on her cell. "Angel?"

</lj-cut>

<lj-cut text="Being a Good Father">
Angel S 3

He was working himself to a frazzle. It was the only way to burn off his excess energy. He was afraid he’d accidently hurt the baby if he didn’t. He ignored his friends’ grumbles as he worked them all to the bone. They didn’t have a son to support, diapers to buy, a college fund to save for.

Still, it was worth listening to Cordy complain about him being so dorky about it and asking time and again how he could possibly not have saved any money being that he’s so old. He never really had a need before

</lj-cut>
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<lj-cut text="Chores">
Steven S 3

Sweat ran down Steven’s spine as he wielded the axe to split more wood for fire. He slung his damp hair out of his eyes, turning to Holtz. "Is this enough, Father? I’m tired of cutting wood. It’s boring and it’s hot out."

"It’s work, Steven. It’s necessary. It’s not supposed to be fun," Holtz said, looking up from where he was dressing out dinner.

"But can’t it wait? I could get in more hunting."

"And how will you cook it? How will we keep the demons at bay?" Holtz’s eyes fixed him.

Steven pouted but started cutting wood again.

</lj-cut>

 

<lj-cut text="Barred">
Connor S4

Connor stared out at the city from his window perch. Cordy slept in their bed but he felt too uneasy to join her. She had made an offhand comment about working that bothered him. He knew she had been joking about him getting a job so he didn’t have to steal food for them; that she’d get one too as soon as her memories came back

It scared him though. Fred and Gunn had talked about it. Without a valid birth certificate, social security number and driver’s license, Connor couldn’t work. He was helpless and he hated it.

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As always this is x-posted to open_on_sunday

ETA - Okay I have NO idea why the LJ cut isn't working. I've used the icon for it, I've done it by hand and it just refuses to cooperate right now...and my post to Open on Sunday hasn't posted then again neither has practically anyone else's. kicks LJ

Comments

[lynnluvsjamey.livejournal.com]

i dunno either, LJ did that to me yesterday. I got so pissed at it, and then it wouldn't link.

*helps you kick it*

[vampedvixen.livejournal.com]

Buffy S 2 - This ended in a different place than I thought it was going to. Poor Buffy. She needs a hug.

Giles S 4 - Season 4 Giles has always and will always depress me. Le sigh.

Anya S4 - Jobs always suck until you see the money.. and you touch the money.. and you love the money. Heh.

Kate S 1 - You can write Kate so that I don't hate her, and that's a huge talent.

Angel S 3 - Love that last bit. He cetaintly has a need now. :)

Steven S 3 - Heh. Figures that he'd like hunting more than cutting wood.

Connor S4 - Really makes you wonder what he would do without those things if he'd never gotten his new life.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I do love Giles but he does have a bit of pathos around him. Yes, jobs tend to suck but stroking the money helps.

I'm shocked every time at the amount of people who hate Kate (figures, I like writing Kate, Connor and Dru, why don't I just do Riley too and make a clean sweep of unpopular characters :-) )

And yes, wonder if ANYONE considered how poor Connor was expected to live onhis own